Life Saving Award Citations

Michael Brooks

On June 24, 2020, in Edmonton, Michael Brooks responded to calls for help from a neighboring residence. A female occupant was injured and there were signs of violence. While awaiting the arrival of police and EMS, Michael provided first aid assistance to the female occupant who sustained a severe laceration to her foot and was suffering from significant blood loss. Using his military first aid training, Michael used medical bandaging and direct pressure to reduce the severe bleed. He continued to provide ongoing casualty care until arrival of emergency responders. Without Michael’s assistance, it is doubtful she would have survived the incident.

Michael Brooks is to be commended for his quick actions and knowledge and use of first aid skills in helping to save a life.

Joanne and Rod Church

On June 23, 2020, in Sherwood Park, Carol Church and her husband Rod Church responded to calls for help from their neighbor’s yard. Their neighbor was gardening, got stung by wasps, and suffered an anaphylactic response. She collapsed outside her garage door where her husband found her unresponsive and called for help. Rod Church called 9-1-1- while Carol Church proceeded to assess the woman’s vitals then provided CPR. Carol continued with CPR until arrival of EMS. She was transported to hospital and discharged the next day.

Carol Church and her husband Rod Church are to be commended for their quick actions and knowledge and use of first aid skills in helping to save a life.

Lisa Dombrosky, Jennifer Stemmer, and Connor Whittall

On December 8, 2020, Lisa Dombrosky, Jennifer Stemmer, and Connor Whittall were driving their vehicles separately on a main street in Edmonton when the victim of a gunshot wound wandered into traffic. All three bystanders were unknown to each other until this incident. Lisa and Jennifer are both nurses and Connor a paramedic. All were off duty. The victim collapsed and all three stopped to provide life-saving interventions treating the gunshot wound and performing CPR. They worked quickly in a dangerous environment with busy traffic and not knowing if the assailant was nearby. Every effort was made to save this person’s life, but unfortunately, he did not survive the incident.

Lisa Dombrosky, Jennifer Stemmer, and Connor Whittall are to be commended for their courageous efforts and for their knowledge and use of CPR and first aid skills in attempting to save a life.

Taryn Lewis

On August 20, 2020, at Chickakoo Lake near Stony Plain, Taryn Lewis performed first aid and CPR to help a three-year old child who made his way into the lake and had to be rescued. Taryn was walking her dog when she heard cries for help and that a baby was in the water. Taryn left her dog unattended and jumped into the lake. Taryn quickly located the child and brought him to shore. He was unresponsive. Taryn administered CPR and within a few minutes, the child began breathing on his own. Upon arrival of EMS, the child was assessed. The family took him to the local hospital for further examination and he was discharged a few hours later. Without the quick actions of Taryn, this young child may not have survived this incident.

Taryn Lewis is to be commended for her quick actions and for her knowledge and use of CPR and first aid skills in helping to save a life.

Billi Jo Matheson

On August 30, 2019, in Strathcona County, Billi Jo Matheson performed first aid and CPR to help her unconscious grandfather who collapsed from cardiac arrest on their rural property in a remote location. Due to the location and few access points, there was a delay in the arrival of EMS. Billi Jo worked tirelessly performing CPR for a considerable length of time until the arrival of a Peace Officer who took over CPR until EMS arrived. He was transported by EMS to hospital where unfortunately, he passed away. Without the quick actions of Billi Jo Matheson, he would not have had a chance for survival.

Billi Jo Matheson is to be commended for her courageous efforts and for her knowledge and use of CPR and first aid skills in attempting to save a life.

Shawn Monaghan

On June 6, 2020, at their home in Calgary, Shawn Monaghan responded to calls for help from upstairs. His mother and father in-law (Mr. and Mrs. Gallant) were eating dinner when Mr. Gallant experienced a medical emergency, fell to the floor and was unconscious. Upon entering the kitchen, Shawn found his father-in-law unresponsive. Mrs. Gallant was calling 9-1-1. Shawn immediately began CPR and continued the life-saving interventions for over 10 minutes until EMS arrived on scene. Mr. Gallant had suffered cardiac arrest and it took EMS an hour to stabilize him before transporting him to hospital. The doctors said that he was very lucky to be alive and if it hadn’t been for Shawn’s life-saving intervention, it is highly unlikely Mr. Gallant would have survived this incident.

Shawn Monaghan is to be commended for his quick actions knowledge and use of CPR and first aid skills in helping to save a life.

Marian Rasmussen and Lisa Rasmussen

On April 20, 2019, in Devon, Marian Rasmussen and her daughter Lisa Rasmussen stopped to assist an individual who was seriously injured while driving his motorcycle and attempting to avoid a collision with a motor vehicle. He had skidded on the pavement, was unconscious, not breathing and sustained multiple fractures. Marian and Lisa are both nurses and immediately sprang into action assessing priorities starting with administering CPR. The casualty eventually began breathing. They continued providing first aid assistance until arrival of EMS. Through their efforts, Marian and Lisa saved his life.

Marian Rasmussen and Lisa Rasmussen are to be commended for their courageous efforts and for their knowledge and use of CPR and first aid skills in helping to save a life.

St. John Ambulance is an international humanitarian Organization and is a foundation of the Order of St. John. 88725 4035 RR0001
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